Hand-guided cyclone vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner comprising: - a separator (1) comprising a housing (19), a central filter (2) arranged in the housing (19), and a rotatable cover (3); - a device body (7) with a drive unit configured to generate an airflow through the separator (1) when operating in a first state of the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, in which the separator (1) and the device body (7) are detachably connected to one another, wherein an intake area of ​​the drive unit is arranged downstream of the airflow to the central filter (2), wherein the central filter (2) can be cleaned in the first state by rotating the rotatable cover (3), and in a second state of the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, in which the separator (1) and the device body (7) are detached from one another, when the rotatable cover (3) is rotated in a predetermined direction of rotation out of the housing. (19) can be removed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner. For the sake of simplicity, the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner will also be referred to as a vacuum cleaner below.

[0002] The term "cyclone vacuum cleaner" refers to a bagless vacuum cleaner in which the airflow entering the vacuum cleaner creates vortices and turbulence. This causes the vacuumed material, such as dust particles, to be forced in a predetermined direction by centrifugal force and separated in a separator within the vacuum cleaner. The term "bagless" means that the vacuumed material is collected directly in the separator without a bag or similar replaceable filter medium. Therefore, the user does not need to remove a bag or similar item from the dust container to empty it. Instead, the vacuumed material is collected and emptied directly from the separator.

[0003] In a cyclone vacuum cleaner, it is necessary to install a filter downstream of the cyclone to prevent damage to the drive unit designed to generate the airflow. From DE 10 2019 103 101 A1, a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner with a separator is known. This separator comprises a housing, a central filter arranged within the housing, and a fine filter located within the central filter. The fine filter is designed to remain in the housing even after the central filter is removed. However, this design results in disadvantages for the user in terms of handling and the vacuum cleaner's performance. In particular, it is a disadvantage that the central filter is not accessible to the user during operation for cleaning, and the user must always disassemble the entire separation system to achieve any performance improvement by cleaning the central filter.

[0004] GB 2 398 232 A discloses an upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator, the housing of which has a rotating lid. By rotating the lid, the central filter of the separator can be cleaned and removed.

[0005] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner in which the handling for the user and the performance of the central filter are improved.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0007] The advantages achievable with the invention are that the user can utilize the cleaning function of the central filter during operation, as it is directly accessible from the outside, and that the user does not need to perform any additional handling steps to remove the central filter from the separator. This provides the user with increased convenience. The cleaning mechanism for the central filter, integrated into the vacuum cleaner, can be manually operated by the user during operation and during breaks in vacuuming. Furthermore, the ease of cleaning the central filter during operation and breaks minimizes the susceptibility to malfunctions and increases performance. This also results in increased safety and extends the service life of the vacuum cleaner.

[0008] The invention relates to a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, comprising a separator comprising a housing, a central filter arranged in the housing and a rotatable lid, a device body with a drive unit designed to generate an airflow through the separator when operating in a first state of the hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner in which the separator and the device body are detachably connected to each other, wherein an intake area of ​​the drive unit is arranged downstream of the airflow to the central filter, wherein the central filter can be cleaned in the first state by rotating the rotatable lid and can be removed from the housing in a second state of the hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner in which the separator and the device body are detached from each other by rotating the rotatable lid in a predetermined direction of rotation.

[0009] The central filter in the vacuum cleaner according to the invention is designed with a rotatable handle. In its first state, this handle serves for cleaning, and in its second state, by rotating it in the predetermined direction, it allows the user to remove the central filter from the separator. The cleaning mechanism is designed so that the user can clean the central filter during operation and during breaks in vacuuming without detaching the separator from the appliance body. This allows the central filter to quickly regain optimal performance. The vacuum cleaner features an automatic locking mechanism that prevents the central filter from being removed from the separator while the separator is connected to the appliance body.This ensures that when the central filter is removed, no dirt falls into the opening between the separator and the unit housing, through which the airflow from the separator into the housing during operation. This prevents the drive unit, located downstream of the opening, from becoming contaminated by dirt falling from the separator through this opening. In the second configuration, the central filter can be easily and simply removed from the separator by the user without the risk of dirt falling into the drive unit. The central filter is designed to be cleaned individually after removal from the separator. Furthermore, the implemented filter system results in relatively few components requiring cleaning.

[0010] The separator is preferably designed such that the central filter is arranged concentrically inside the housing. The intake area of ​​the drive unit is located downstream of the central filter. If the central filter is removed, the separator has direct access to this intake area from above, as long as it is connected to the device housing. In particular, the separator and the device housing are fluidically connected via this opening. In the first state, the separator is detachably connected to the device housing, i.e., mounted to it. In the second state, the separator is detached from the device housing, i.e., not connected to it or removed from it. Therefore, by allowing the user to remove the central filter from the separator only in the second state, contamination of the interior of the device housing, and especially the drive unit, during removal is prevented.

[0011] Preferably, the handle has one or more recessed grips. The recessed grip(s) are preferably designed such that the user can rotate the handle using the recessed grip(s). This makes the handle easy to handle and rotate for the user.

[0012] Preferably, the central filter in the separator is non-rotatable, meaning that the central filter does not rotate with the handle when the handle is turned. In a preferred embodiment, the central filter is arranged concentrically in the housing, and the separator has an axle located inside the central filter, which is connected to the rotatable handle. One or more cleaning elements are designed and arranged on this axle such that, when the rotatable handle is turned in the first state, the central filter is cleaned by contact and the resulting impulse transfer. The central filter preferably has pleats. The axle is preferably designed such that, when turned, it moves on the inside of the central filter and engages the pleats of the central filter with the cleaning element(s). Through the rotational movement, the cleaning element(s) generate an impulse on the filter, which leads to cleaning.If the separator and the device body are connected, they are preferably designed such that the central filter is cleaned when the handle is turned, regardless of the direction of rotation, i.e., whether clockwise or counterclockwise. For this purpose, the shaft is preferably designed to rotate with the handle via a positive-locking connection. That is, in the first state, the shaft and the handle are preferably positively connected to each other.

[0013] Preferably, the device body has a drive unit guard which, in the first state, forces the shaft into a first position in which a connection between the rotatable handle, a filter holder of the separator, and the shaft is designed with play, preferably axial play. Preferably, the play is not present or non-existent in the second state. This creates a functional differentiation between the first and second states. The first position is preferably an upper position. Position and direction specifications refer to a working position of the vacuum cleaner.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the separator has a spring designed such that it is pushed by the shaft into the first position in the first state, with the shaft seated against an end stop in the filter holder. Preferably, the spring is further designed such that it is compressed between the shaft and the rotatable handle in the first state. This spring is preferably designed as a compression spring. When the spring is in the first, preferably upper, position, the shaft is preferably pushed upwards by the drive unit guard until it is seated against the end stop in the filter holder. At the same time, the handle is preferably also moved into a first, preferably upper, handle position, with a detent between the filter holder and the handle preferably acting as a stop. This compresses the spring between the shaft and the handle in the first state.The handle therefore preferably has a detent with the filter holder, which acts as a stop when the handle is in the first, preferably upper, handle position. Preferably, the clearance between the shaft in the filter holder is at least as large as the sum of the axial clearance between the handle and the filter holder and the axial clearance between the shaft and the handle. Preferably, the clearance between the handle and the shaft is at least twice as large as the clearance between the handle and the filter holder. This results in clearance between the end faces of the filter holder and the handle in this first position. This clearance ensures that a rotational movement of the handle is transmitted only to the shaft.

[0015] Preferably, the spring is designed such that, in the second state, it presses the axle into a second position in which one or more detent elements of the axle rest against the handle. In the second state, the spring is decompressed. The second position is preferably a lower position. If the separator is detached from the device body, i.e., not mounted with it, the drive unit guard, which acts as a counter bearing for the axle, is eliminated. The spring located between the handle and the axle presses the axle into its second, preferably lower, position. This position is preferably characterized by the detent element(s) of the axle resting against the handle, preferably at the bottom. Since the counter bearing for the handle is also absent when the axle is moved downwards, the handle moves under its own weight into a second, preferably lower, position. As a result, the longitudinal play between the components is no longer present or nonexistent.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the rotatable handle and the filter holder each have one or more drive lugs designed to engage with each other in the second state. The drive lugs are preferably formed on an end face. Alternatively or additionally, the rotatable handle has a further drive lug, and the filter holder has a toothed section. The geometry of the rotatable handle is designed such that the further drive lug engages with the toothed section in the second state. The further drive lug and the toothed section are preferably arranged centrally. This eliminates not only the longitudinal play when the handle is moved into or is in the second, preferably lower, position, but also creates a direct positive fit between the handle and filter holder components in the second state.

[0017] Preferably, the toothing is designed such that it has a chamfer which is shaped such that, when the rotatable handle is turned in the opposite direction to the predetermined rotation, the additional driver rises over the chamfer and disengages from the toothing, so that in the second state, the central filter can be cleaned when the rotatable handle is turned in the opposite direction to the predetermined rotation. The toothing is preferably designed such that the chamfer is on one side. Because the chamfer is preferably designed such that, when the handle is turned in the opposite direction to the predetermined rotation, preferably counterclockwise, the handle and its driver rise over this chamfer and disengage from the toothing, a kind of freewheel is created. This allows the central filter to continue to be cleaned via the force transmission between the handle and the axle when the handle is turned in the opposite direction to the predetermined rotation.When the handle is turned in the predetermined direction, the force is transferred directly from the handle to the filter holder.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the separator further comprises at least one ramp designed such that, when the rotatable handle is turned in the predetermined direction of rotation, the central filter can be unscrewed from the housing in the second state. This ensures that the central filter is released from the separator by turning the handle in the predetermined direction, preferably clockwise. When the handle is turned in the predetermined direction, this movement is transmitted to the filter holder. This movement is then converted via the at least one ramp into a combination of linear and rotary motion, causing the central filter to unscrew from the housing. This allows the central filter to be removed from the separator in the second state and cleaned individually.

[0019] The separator preferably further comprises a pre-filter, which is arranged in the housing in which the central filter is arranged. The pre-filter is preferably arranged concentrically in the separator housing. The pre-filter is preferably arranged concentrically surrounding the central filter. The pre-filter serves in particular as filter protection for the central filter. The pre-filter is arranged upstream of the central filter in the airflow. Only material that does not settle on the pre-filter, such as dust, settles on the central filter. A three-stage filter system is preferably provided, in which the cyclone generated by the drive unit serves as the first filter stage, the pre-filter as the second filter stage, and the central filter as the third filter stage. Preferably, the central filter is mounted non-rotatably in the pre-filter. Preferably, the central filter is mounted non-rotatably in the pre-filter by virtue of the geometry of the filter housing.Preferably, the pre-filter has at least one ramp.

[0020] The vacuum cleaner is preferably a cordless vacuum cleaner. That is, the vacuum cleaner has a battery and is designed to be operated using the battery as a power source. The battery can be connected to the separator and / or the device body, preferably the device body.

[0021] The central filter serves primarily to trap dust and is preferably designed as a fine filter. It is preferably designed as a depth filter. For this purpose, it has one or more corresponding filter elements. The central filter preferably has pleats.

[0022] The drive unit preferably includes a blower.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It is shown schematically and not to scale. Fig. 1 a partial cross-sectional view of a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 shown vacuum cleaner; Fig. 3 another partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Figs. 4a, 4b each show a further partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 5 a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 5 Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 6 another perspective partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown in the first state; Fig. 7 another perspective partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in a second state; Fig. 8 shows another perspective partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown in the second state; Fig. 9, another perspective partial view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 10 another perspective partial view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 10 Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 11 another perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown; and Fig. 12 a further perspective partial view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown.

[0024] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner according to the invention. The handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner comprises a separator 1 and a device body 7, which are detachably connected to one another in a first state, as shown here. The separator 1 has a housing 19, a central filter 2 arranged in the housing 19, and a rotatable cover 3. Furthermore, the separator 1 has a pre-filter 5, which is arranged concentrically in the housing 19. The central filter 2 is arranged concentrically in the pre-filter 5 and downstream of it in the airflow. The separator 1 also has an axle 4, which is arranged inside the central filter 2, which is connected to the rotatable handle 3 and on which cleaning elements 20 are designed and arranged such that, when the rotatable handle 3 is rotated in the first state, they clean the central filter 2 by contact and the resulting impulse transmission.The central filter 2 has a pleated filter element 22 designed to filter material from an airflow generated during operation. The cleaning elements 20 are designed to clean the filter element 22 by contact when the rotatable handle 3 is turned in its first position.

[0025] The device body 7 has a drive unit (not shown) such as a blower, which, when operating in the first state of the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, is designed to generate an airflow (not shown). The intake area of ​​the drive unit is arranged downstream of the central filter 2, while the cyclone (not shown) is arranged upstream of the central filter 2. The device body 7 has a drive unit guard 6, which is arranged and designed such that, in the first state, it forces the shaft 4 into a first position in which a connection between the rotatable handle 3, a filter holder (not shown) of the separator 1, and the shaft 4 is provided with a clearance (not shown). Furthermore, the separator 1 has a spring 9 designed such that, in the first state, it pushes the shaft 4 into the first position and is compressed. The handle 3 is arranged in a first grip position.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown. The rotating handle 2 has grip recesses 8 by means of which it can be rotated.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows another partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in a second state in which the separator 1 is detached from the unit body (not shown). The separator 1 has the spring 9, which is designed to push the shaft 4 into a second position in this second state, where detent elements (not shown) of the shaft 4 bear against the handle 3. If the separator 1 is detached from the unit body, i.e., not mounted with it, the drive unit guard (not shown) is no longer present as a counter bearing for the shaft 4. The spring 9, located between the handle 3 and the shaft 4, pushes the shaft 4 into its second position. Since the counter bearing for the handle 3 is also absent, gravity holds it in a second grip position.

[0028] Fig. 4a und 4b each shows another partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown. Fig. 4a Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the central filter 2 removed from the housing 19 in the second state. The central filter 2 has the filter element 22, the handle 3 including grip recesses 8 and the axle 4 with the cleaning elements 20. Fig. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the housing 19 in its second state with parts removed from it, in Fig. 4a The central filter shown. The pre-filter 5 is arranged concentrically in the housing 19.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in its first state. The separator 1 has the spring 9, which is designed such that it pushes the shaft 4 into the first position in the first state, so that the shaft 4 sits against an end stop in the filter holder 14. The filter holder 14 has a chamfer 21. The spring 9 is further designed such that it is compressed between the shaft 4 and the rotatable handle 3 in the first state. The shaft 4 also has detent elements 10. The handle 3 and the filter holder 14 are locked at a detent 11.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows another perspective partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in its initial state. The partial cross-sectional view is in comparison to... Fig. 4 Rotated by 90°. In the first state, the separator 1 and the device body (not shown) are connected, and the drive unit guard (not shown) forces the axis 4 into the first position, in which a connection between the rotatable handle 3, the filter holder 14, and the axis 4 is designed with clearance. Due to the design that the clearance between the axis 4 and the handle 3 is at least twice as large as the clearance between the filter holder 14 and the handle 3, a clearance 12 results in the first state between the end faces (not shown) of the filter holder 14 and the handle 3. In the first state, the handle 3 is in the first grip position, in which the detent 11 between the filter holder 14 and the handle 3 acts as a stop.

[0031] Fig. 7 shows another perspective partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in its second state. In the second state, the drive unit guard (not shown) is omitted as a counter bearing for axle 4. As axle 4 moves downwards when separator 1 is detached from the unit body (not shown), the handle 3 moves into the second handle position due to gravity. This eliminates the [missing information - likely a specific feature or condition] present in the first state and in [missing information - likely a specific feature or condition]. Fig. 6 The play shown between the components in the longitudinal direction is no longer present. The spring 9 located between the handle 3 and the axle 4 presses the axle 4 into the second position. There is no play 13 between the rotatable handle 3 and the axle 4. The spring 9 is decompressed.

[0032] Fig. 8 shows a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown is in its second state. The partial cross-sectional view is in comparison to Fig. 6 rotated by 90°. In the second state, the spring 9 pushes the axis 4 into a second position in which the detent elements 10 of the axis 4 rest against the handle 3.

[0033] Fig. 9 shows another perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown. The filter holder 14 has several drive lugs 15. Furthermore, the filter holder 14 has a centrally arranged toothing 16, which is designed such that it has a chamfer 21.

[0034] Fig. 10 shows another perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown. The rotating handle 3 has several drive lugs 15 which are designed to engage with the in Fig. 8 The drive lugs 15 of the filter holder 14 shown engage with each other in the second state. Furthermore, the rotatable handle 3 has another drive lug 17, which is centrally arranged and designed such that it engages in the Fig. 8 The toothing 16 shown engages in the second state. The driver 17 rises over the inclined surface 21 when the rotatable handle 3 is turned against the predetermined direction of rotation and disengages from the toothing 16, so that the central filter 2 can be cleaned in the second state when the rotatable handle 3 is turned against the predetermined direction of rotation.

[0035] Fig. 11 shows another perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown. The pre-filter 5 is shown, from which the central filter 2 is unscrewed in the second state by turning the handle 3 in the predetermined direction of rotation, for example clockwise.

[0036] Fig. 12 shows another perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1The vacuum cleaner shown. Shown is the separator 1 with the pre-filter 5, from which the central filter (not shown) has been removed. The pre-filter 5 has at least one ramp 18, which is designed such that, when the rotatable handle (not shown) is turned in the predetermined direction of rotation, the central filter can be unscrewed from the housing 19 containing the pre-filter 5 in the second state. Reference symbol list

[0037] 1 Separator 2 Central filter 3 Handle 4 Axle 5 Pre-filter 6 Drive unit guard 7 Device body 8 Recessed handle 9 Spring 10 Detent element 11 Detent point 12 Play 13 No play 14 Filter holder 15 Drive pin 16 Toothed section 17 Additional drive pin 18 Ramp 19 Housing 20 Cleaning element 21 Incline 22 Filter element

Claims

1. Handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, comprising - a separator (1) having a housing (19), a central filter (2) arranged in the housing (19) and a rotatable cover (3), - a device body (7) having a drive unit which is designed to generate an air flow through the separator (1) when the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner is in operation in a first state in which the separator (1) and the device body (7) are detachably connected to one another, a suction region of the drive unit being arranged downstream of the central filter (2), the central filter (2) being cleanable in the first state when the rotatable cover (3) is rotated and, in a second state of the handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, in which the separator (1) and the device body (7) are detached from one another, being removable from the housing (19) when the rotatable cover (3) is rotated in a predetermined direction of rotation characterised in that the central filter (2) is arranged concentrically in the housing (19) and the separator (1) has a shaft (4) which is arranged in the interior of the central filter (2), is connected to the rotatable handle (3) and on which one or more cleaning elements (20) are formed and arranged in such a way that when the rotatable handle (3) is rotated in the first state, it or they clean the central filter (2) by contact and resulting impulse transmission.

2. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that the device body (7) has a drive unit protective grid (6) which is arranged and formed in such a way that in the first state it forces the shaft (4) into a first position in which a connection between the rotatable handle (3), a filter receptacle (14) of the separator (1) and the shaft (4) is designed with play (12).

3. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterised in that the separator (1) has a spring (9) which is designed in such a way that it is pushed by the shaft (4) into the first position in the first state, the shaft (4) being seated at an end stop in the filter receptacle (14), and in that the spring (9) is further designed in such a way that it is compressed between the shaft (4) and the rotatable handle (3) in the first state.

4. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, characterised in that the spring (9) presses the shaft (4) in the second state into a second position in which one or more locking elements (10) of the shaft (4) rest on the handle (3).

5. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the rotatable handle (3) and the filter receptacle (14) each have one or more entraining elements (15) which are designed to engage with each other in the second state.

6. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the rotatable handle (3) has a further entraining element (17) and the filter receptacle (14) has a toothing (16) and a geometry of the rotatable handle (3) is designed in such a way that in the second state the entraining element (17) engages in the toothing (16).

7. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, characterised in that the toothing (16) is designed in such a way that it has a bevel (21) which is designed in such a way that the entraining element (17) rises over the bevel (21) and detaches from the toothing (16) when the rotatable handle (3) is rotated against the predetermined direction of rotation, so that the central filter (2) can be cleaned in the second state when the rotatable handle (3) is rotated against the predetermined direction of rotation.

8. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the separator (1) further comprises at least one ramp (18) which is designed in such a way that the central filter (2) can be screwed out of the housing (19) in the second state when the rotatable handle (3) is rotated in the predetermined direction of rotation.

9. Cyclone vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotatable handle (3) is arranged in a first handle position in the first state and is arranged in a second handle position in the second state.

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